PTTK Shelter on Szrenica Glade

The Szrenica Hall Shelter, located at an altitude of 1,195 meters above sea level in the Karkonosze Mountains within the Karkonosze National Park, has a rich history dating back to 1786, when the first shepherd's hut, known as the "New Silesian Hut," was built. Over time, it evolved into an inn and later into a tourist shelter. In 1869, with the construction of a new road, tourist traffic increased significantly. The facility underwent multiple renovations; in 1846, a wooden summer house for tourists was added, and in 1895, the building was completely rebuilt, modeled after the Petrova bouda shelter, resulting in a large structure with 22 rooms and a dining hall. In 1909, a new wing was added, and in 1939, additional spaces were constructed, giving the shelter the standard of a luxury mountain hotel before World War II. After the war, in 1949, it was renovated and became an important tourist hub in the Szklarska Poręba region. In 1975, a fire destroyed the upper floors of the building, and after repairs in 1976, its shape was altered, giving it its current appearance. Although the shelter was ranked as one of the worst in Poland in the PTTK ranking in 2011, it plays a significant role in mountain tourism, and its interior houses a station of the Karkonosze Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue Group (GOPR). The shelter is accessible via numerous hiking trails, including a section of the Main Sudeten Trail and the Polish-Czech Friendship Trail, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking stunning views and active recreation in the Karkonosze Mountains.